Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a historic document that was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly at its third session on 10 December 1948 as Resolution 217 at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris, France. Of the then 68 members of the UN, 48 voted in favor, none against, 8 abstained, and 2 did not vote. Articles 1—2 established the basic concepts of dignity, liberty, equality, and brotherhood; Articles 3—11 established other individual rights, such as the right to life and the prohibition of slavery; Articles 6—11 refer to the fundamental legality of human rights with specific remedies cited for their defence when violated; Articles 12–17 established the rights of the individual towards the community (including such things as freedom of movement); Articles 18–21 sanctioned the so-called "constitutional liberties", and with spiritual, public, and political freedoms, such as freedom of thought, opinion, religion and conscience, word, and peaceful association of the individual; Articles 22–27 sanctioned an individual's economic, social and cultural rights, including healthcare; Article 25 states: "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services." It also makes additional accommodations for security in case of physical debilitation or disability, and makes special mention of care given to those in motherhood or childhood. Articles 28—30 established the general ways of using these rights, the areas in which these rights of the individual can not be applied, and that they can not be overcome against the individual. The UDHR is not a part of domestic law, but it became a part of customary international law.